The brain is forever baffling...

Every night, I ask Bob, "What do you want me to tell all of our readers?" He says, "I don't know", which is his initial response to everything. With a little encouraging, he carries on a conversation.

Bob wants me to tell everyone, "Thanks for reading about us everyday."

Bob's memory seems to be getting longer. Many times, he still needs clues to get him started; then he remembers all. This applies to short-term memory things. I have notice something interesting. Bob may not initial remember immediate things; however, the same short-term things are remember a day or two later. Hmm...another baffling brain activity.

Bob's email
my email

We are all full of shit...

Today is my 399th post. I don't think I've ever stuck with something so long. Goes to show, "when there's a will, there's a way". I'm in a habit of posting, I can't sleep when I have to post the following morning. I believe that has only happened twice.

Oh dear, did I have a difficult time with Bob today trying to convince him that we were in Roseburg. This is becoming a daily argument. ugh... He was even using profanity; he was getting frustrated and angry. At one point, he asked the waitress at a restaurant, what town we were in. After her response, Bob proceeded to tell his mom, dad, and me that we were all full of shit. From that point on, the topic became a subject we could make "fun" of.

T and I have been sharing his walker (at the same time) when we need to walk somewhere. Instead of taking two walkers or one walker and my wheelchair, I've been holding onto one side of Bob's walker with one hand. It's nice. We have never walked side-by-side. I didn't think my new medicine had any effect yet, but maybe it is working. Maybe I'm expecting to be running before I walk in order for the medicine to be successful.

good day...

Bob went for a long walk with his dad today. I thought they'd only make it to the end of our property and back. They walked a few blocks.

Yesterday, I wrote in my blog that Bob's memory rejuvenates itself after a sleep. Last night he didn't remember his house in Fairmont, MN. I thought that after a good night's sleep, if he saw pictures of his home in Fairmont, he'd remember. I was wrong. I showed him several pictures of the inside and outside. He remembered the outside, but said he never lived in a house that looked like the one in the pictures. According to Jill Bolte Taylor, there were things that she didn't remember, people continuously reminded her these things, and she didn't want to remember them. She only wanted to remember good things. She felt that her brain aneurysm gave her a fresh start to move forward positively. So, does Bob really need to remember his house in Fairmont? He will if his brain chooses. More importantly, he needs to remember his current address.

Bob's email Jan's email

CLICK AWAY...

In the morning, when Bob is all rested, talking to him is so normal. He remembers everything from days before and things of the past. However, as the day goes on, the more mentally tired Bob gets, then the memory fades. For example, this evening we were looking at pictures of his house in Fairmont, MN. He doesn't remember it at all; he was very tired. However, I bet if I show the pictures to him in the morning, which I will, he'll remember. I'll keep you posted.

Bob took a trip to Eugene with his mom and dad today. I was like a lost little puppy, not knowing what to do with myself, wandering from room to room, looking out the windows, rummaging through the refrigerator and cupboards, looking for food I didn't need or want, but ate anyhow. I had plenty to do, but got absolutely nothing done.

I'm having a tough time deciding to let go of my education background to dive into learning trading stuff. It's economically the right thing to do, and I'm sure, once I learn the knowledge part of trading, I can do something educationally with it; it's the "pause" that saddens me. Does anyone have some insight for me? email me

Go figure...

The brain is a funny thing. During a conversation today, Bob recalled the name of the town in Georgia where Jimmy Carter lives and has farm. What the hell? But, then we have a cabin in northern Oregon. News to me!

Bob's dad sat with him today watching the markets and talked shop. It was interesting listening to how knowledgeable both of them are about trading. I learned a few things. Did you know trading like they do started in 1840 in Chicago.

Bob's email: traderbob@lakestradingcompany.com
my email: jiachini@msn.com

Recovery progresses...

The PIC line is gone! woo-hoo Bob is one step closer to getting back to normal. We had an appointment with the VA Wound Care nurse today. Bob's stomach wound is decreasing in size, which means it's closing. It doesn't need packed anymore. woo-hoo

Bob also had his drop foot molded for a brace that will help lift his foot so he doesn't trip himself. He is walking very well these days, using a walker of course. He uses the wheelchair at the house. It's time to fold up the chair for good. I wonder what type of guff I'm going to get from that proposal? I'll keep you posted.

The evening ended with dinner with his parents, then choir practice. I noticed at practice that Bob was singing more than other nights. It seems, at least from where I sat, he is able to see and follow his music better than before.

email me: jiachini@msn.com
email Bob: traderbob@lakestradingcompany.com

Am I on vacation?...

Once again, Bob made me feel good about the new addition and our house. Months ago, he told me he thought we were staying in a hotel. Today, he told his mother that our house is really my vacation home. woo-hoo! However, if I did have a vacation home, it would not be in Oregon. I'd be on some remote island, basking in the sun with a cocktail brought to me by a suntanned muscular model. ;-)

It's amazing to me how the brain works. Memory is so specific. It's as specific as each brain cell has it's own duty. It's not so much the general area of the brain performs a task, it's each cell performs a task of it's own.

Good news about Zachary... Last week, he missed tryouts for a band group in school that is for the best players only. The band director called our home today requesting him to tryout tomorrow morning. That boosted Zachary's self-esteem ten-fold.

Donations for Bob's continued recovery: Bob Pirie Fund, Umpqua Bank, Main Street, Roseburg, Oregon, 97470, Attn: Caryn Martin